title: Neosporosis in an aborted southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) fetus.
abstract: In December 2008, a southern white rhinoceros (ãsimum simum) aborted a 7-mo gestation male fetus. On hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of fetal tissues, foci of necrosis were noted in the hepatic parenchyma and were associated with low numbers of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils. Protozoal zoites were identified within the hepatic lesions and within the cerebellum. Evaluations utilizing immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing identified the protozoan as Neospora caninum. A microsatellite analysis using MS10 marker showed a unique trinucletoide repeat pattern (ACT), (AGA)19 (TGA)8 distinct from all studied N. caninum to date. This is the first report of N. caninum-related abortion of a rhinoceros fetus of any species and the first report of polymerase chain reaction-confirmed N. caninum infection in any rhinoceros.
authors.affiliation: Taronga Zoo, P.O. Box 20, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, New South Wales 2088, Australia. csangster@zoo.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sangster
authors.forename: Benn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campbell-Ward
authors.forename: Jessica S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slapeta
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018688:Neospora / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010527:Perissodactyla; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer